St. Paul daily globe., 1887-08-22
THAT FORGED BILL.
Editor Bowen Adds His TeSti-
mony to That of Congressman
Wilson--Rubbing Salt Into Nc
Gill

mony to That of Congressman
Wilson---Rubbing Salt Into Nc
Gill.
Sleepy Eye Herald.
Congressman Wilson has opened fire
on the method by which the lands of the
st. Paul, & Chicago company were eX-
empted from taxation. The bill which
was passed last winter for that purpose
has been fully discussed in the Herald,
and the new agitation of the matter is
but another proof that
Foul deeds will rise
Though all the earth Oerwhelm them,
TO mems eyes.
That bill was carried through by fOrg-
cry. Who is responsible for it? Was it
the men who lobbied the bill through?
We're any of the employees of the legiS-
lature the instruments of the crime?
Possibly: if so it is not the only Occa-
sion when they inserted changes i'll the
records of the legislature last winter.
The means by which the forgery was
uttered in the law affecting the st. Paul
d. Chicago company is pretty grave
ma tier and it should be investigated.
Gov. McGill replies to Judge Wilson's
charge by saying that he signed the bill,
III Sl. UCCouSC IL w 10 petocOt ny OhO lSSi9
lators, and second, because, after full
consideration and consultation, it was
considered for the best interest of the
state. These reasons are not sufficient.
The governor vetoed great many bills
which had been passed by the legiS-
lature: it is his duty to veto bad bill.
He is recreant in his trust if he signs
bad bill. even if it had been passed
unanimously by the legislature. His
second reason is good if well founded.
But it is not. There is no argument
under heaven which can prove that it
is for the best interests of the state to
grant this special privilege and immu-
nifty to corporation. The attention of
Gov. McGill was called to the fact that
there was forgery i'll the bill. His at
tention was called to the fact that the
bill was unconstitutional, because the
legislature is prohibited by the cOnstitu-
ton from passing such bill.
Because it is unconstitutional this law
is worthless if it were only ignored. If
the county commissioners in each
county would only enforce the cOllec-
ton of the full amount of taxes and
push the matter into the courts, they
could make short work of the law. But
they accept it-mOre'S the pity-and
allow an unjust and unconstitutional
bill. passed by forgery, to rob the state
of million dollars.
1t is not necessary to take any ones
word for the fact that this bill is forged.
The bill is on file in the office of the
secretary of state, and the records and
journals of the two houses prove that
the interpOlated words land others
were not in the bill at all until its final
passage by both houses. The organs
which declare the charge to be frivolous
and which state that no serious OppOSi-
ton to the bill was made in the legisla-
ton, are simply lying.
MINNESOTA ROBBED.
Preston Republican.
Judge Thomas Wilson's letter in the
GLOBE reveals official crOOkedneSS of
such magnitude as to call for the most
searching investigation, and, if proved,
the severeSt punishment should follow
proof. The legislative record of the bill
to which the judge refers shows that the
fraud charged was committed. 1t is also
apparent that the construction company
is corluptly defrauding the state of due
taxes as stated, and that certain attOr-
neys are aiding the fraud. All class
legislation fraud has its paid attorneys,
whose object it is to defraud the people
whether in or out of Office. Their efforts
W CONtl up StiCl lIC1uUo
of honest men, but it appears to be a
part of the business.
Z. Gov. McGill explains by saying he ap-
proved the bill because the legislature
passed it, believing the interests of the
state demanded it. How rObbing the
state of million dollars due from land
sharks could benefit taxpayers he does
not reveal. Had it been collected and
applied to the payment of the public
debt farmers in Minnesota would be re-
lieved of that much tax burden. The
most illiterate voter can understand
how that would be a benefit to the state.
KEEP UP THE WARFARE.
Window Reporter.
Congressman Wilson has been a cor
poratiOn attorney long enough to know
how the state is Swinded by railroad
companies, and evidently he has had
enough practice and intends TO use his
knowledge to undo, or check, the wrongs
inflicted upon the people by the rich
men. He has written letter to the
GLOBE showing how the railroad COM
panieS have eyaded taxation, alleging
that suits have been dismissed by the
attorney general, implying crO0kedneSS,
etc. We hope Judge Wilson will keep
up this warfare. There is no doubt
that both Republicans and Democrats
i'm the legislature and elsewhere have
cOnspired with corporations to swindle
the people, and we hope Judge Wilson
has the ability and courage to give the
public the true inwardness" of it all.
VERY PLAIN QUESTION.
Appleton Press;
Coy. McGill, the taxpayers of the
state are anxious to know how the words
land others became interpOlated in the
bill to relieve settlers from paym0nt of
back taxes.